Thud.
As the leader’s body collapsed like a split log, Bu Eunseol finally spat out the blood he had been holding back.
Sizzle.
The moment the poison-laced blood hit the ground, it released a sharp, acrid smoke.
‘I hope the Potential Demon Divine Pellet still works.’
With trembling hands, Bu Eunseol swallowed the very last pill.
He could not die yet.
He absolutely had to reach the Martial Venerable’s hidden sanctuary and recover his body.
Crack.
Meanwhile the mercenaries had dismantled the formation and rushed inside.
“Hey—are you all right?”
Yeo Ryeong ran toward Bu Eunseol, who was leaning on the Silent Tiger Soul Sword like a staff.
“Quickly, treat this man—”
“I’m fine.”
Gush.
After vomiting another mouthful of black blood, Bu Eunseol’s complexion brightened slightly.
Fortunately, the pill was taking effect.
Stagger.
Bu Eunseol forced himself to take another laborious step.
“Where are you going?”
“I have somewhere I must go.”
“Then travel with the mercenaries.” Yeo Ryeong gestured toward the mercenaries. “I risked everything and went to the mercenaries market to hire them. Please. Let them accompany you.”
“I’m all right.”
She spoke with desperate sincerity.
“You took my robe to protect me… that’s why you fought this battle, isn’t it?”
Tears seemed ready to spill from Yeo Ryeong’s eyes at any moment.
A complete stranger—a nameless man whose body was already broken—had acted as bait and fought assassins for her sake.
Deeply moved, she had resolved to risk her own life to protect him in return.
‘A truly kind woman.’
Looking at her, Bu Eunseol spoke in a warmth he had rarely shown before.
“You really don’t need to worry. Go back.”
She knew how to be grateful for kindness and had risked her life to repay it by returning here.
That alone proved she was worthy of his goodwill.
“What about those wounds?”
After a brief pause, Bu Eunseol said, “Since you’ve already hired mercenaries for my sake… from now on, have them all disguise themselves in my appearance and scatter in every direction.”
Wiping away the blood, he spoke in a low voice.
“That alone will be more than enough help.”
“But your injuries…”
Bu Eunseol’s body was covered in wounds; not a single spot remained untouched, and his clothes were soaked crimson.
“I’m fine. I took a miraculous medicine.”
No trial, no wound, no pain could ever bend him.
Though he had not a trace of inner force left and his body was in tatters, Bu Eunseol advanced step by step—slowly, yet with solemn dignity.
Tap tap tap.
At that moment the bandages came loose and unraveled.
The tight wrappings had been torn apart by the glancing touch of the Toad Union Skill.
“Ah…”
Yeo Ryeong’s mouth fell open.
Beneath the blood and the bamboo hat, she saw eyes as beautiful and sorrowful as soft moonlight, and a straight noble nose—the peerlessly handsome features of an unparalleled beauty.
“You are…”
Seeing that countenance that seemed to hold a layer of moonlight, she finally realized who he was.
The young grand master of the demonic path whose name shook the martial world.
The successor poised to rule the next Majeon, called Righteous Within Demonic.
A man whose appearance and aura no other beauty in the world could rival…
He was Bu Eunseol, the Martial Soul Command Lord.
Swish.
Bu Eunseol pulled the bamboo hat down low once more.
Then he turned toward Yeo Ryeong with a gentle smile.
“The Dragon Flower Trading Company will surely enjoy many good fortunes in the future.”
“My Lord…”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Bu Eunseol turned calmly away.
Yet Yeo Ryeong could not bring herself to stop him.
She was the daughter of a merchant.
He was a grand master walking the path of an Asura in the demonic world.
Their paths were simply too different… she did not dare block his way.
“But I—” Gathering all her courage, she shouted, “It doesn’t matter that our paths are different!”
“…”
“Please visit our trading company someday!”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint nod.
Even if he extended goodwill to the Dragon Flower Trading Company, the debt he owed Yeo Ryeong was not yet fully repaid. He intended to uncover exactly why the Blood Zhao Sect and the Short-Life Gate had targeted her for kidnapping and to protect her once more.
That was why he nodded.
Then he turned away.
Step… step…
Watching Bu Eunseol walk off in his battered state, the mercenaries unconsciously straightened and bowed in solemn respect.
In the martial world, exceptional martial arts alone could earn great admiration. How much more so for a man who possessed an indomitable spirit and the true soul of a warrior?
Such a person transcended age or seniority and commanded universal respect.
***
Once the mercenaries scattered in all directions disguised as him, Bu Eunseol could finally head toward Mount Dabi with far greater ease.
He stopped in Chengdu long enough to change into clean clothes and hire a carriage.
But his condition steadily worsened; now he could not use even a shred of inner force.
Until now, Bu Eunseol had never truly unified the various energies within his body—he could only temporarily align them through harmony.
That was why the Nangyang Pavilion Lord, the Human Demon Ak Muryeong, had warned him long ago: If Bu Eunseol continued to maintain multiple powers without choosing one, one day he would suffer Form and Spirit Annihilation—his body shattered to pieces, his soul plunged into irretrievable abyss.
During his journeys Bu Eunseol had obtained Two Divine Energies, buying himself time but now, having lost every last ounce of power—including even a single strand of inner force—his body strangely felt lighter.
It was as though he had cast off heavy, rigid armor that had been weighing him down.
‘If I could truly harmonize every power I possess… would my body feel this light one day?’
A strange thought suddenly crossed his mind.
To achieve that, he would need to obtain all Four Divine Energies.
That would be an extremely long and perilous journey.
“We’ve arrived.”
The carriage stopped.
At last he had reached the foot of Mount Dabi.
“Thank you for your trouble.”
Though he had already paid the fare, Bu Eunseol pressed an extra generous amount of silver into the driver’s hand.
After stepping down, he walked toward the deep forest of Mount Dabi.
Even on the way there, he continued performing seemingly meaningless actions—pressing his ear to the ground, bowing his head and spinning slowly, picking up stones at the entrance and arranging them in peculiar patterns.
Every one of these acts was a key to entering the Martial Venerable’s hidden archive.
A few more steps and a faint door would appear within the woods.
But at that moment—
Freeze.
Bu Eunseol’s movements halted.
He felt something strange.
Unable to emit waves of true qi, his hyper-senses currently extended only about ten zhang.
Yet after years wandering the martial world, Bu Eunseol had developed an instinctive sixth sense. Staring at the distant sky for a long while, he suddenly tensed his lower abdomen and spoke.
“Interesting.”
In truth he felt nothing at all.
But shouting like this cost him nothing.
If no one was there, it was merely talking to himself.
“…”
Still no response.
Bu Eunseol looked at the distant sky and let a mocking smile curl his lips.
“Hiding like a rat, curled up so well. If you won’t come out, I’ll just leave.”
The moment he hurled the insult—
Whoooosh.
A white gale rushed toward him, and a figure wearing a treasured sword at his waist appeared.
It was Seo Muk, vice-leader of the Star Guard Division.
“Impressive senses for a master.”
Seo Muk seemed deeply offended that this bandaged, bizarre-looking man had detected his presence.
“And quite the sharp tongue.”
‘Seo Muk?’
Bu Eunseol himself was shocked.
He had only spoken on a hunch because something felt off—yet the vice-leader of the Star Guard Division was here?
‘As long as this man stands guard, I can never enter the Martial Venerable’s archive.’
Bu Eunseol absolutely had to reach the sanctuary to recover.
But if the elite of the Star Guard Division were protecting this place…
Without fully restoring his body, he could never drive away a master of that caliber like chasing off a dog.
“This entire area of Mount Dabi is under investigation by our division on a certain mission.”
Seo Muk showed a silver plaque engraved with the character for “Star Guard.”
“This is official business of the Martial Alliance. Leave quietly.”
Seo Muk treated Bu Eunseol with a measure of courtesy.
Though the stranger’s aura was pitiful, the fact that he had detected Seo Muk meant he must be an extraordinary master.
Clench.
Bu Eunseol tightened his fist.
There was no telling when these people would leave—and he could not simply wait forever.
Even if, by luck, the Star Guard Division withdrew, the Martial Venerable might sense the crisis and seal the archive, or change the method of entry.
‘If I just leave, they’ll surely try to confirm my identity.’
The bigger problem was Seo Muk’s personality.
As Baekri Mujo’s right-hand man, he was meticulous to a fault.
Even if Bu Eunseol said he would leave, Seo Muk would insist on verifying his exact identity and background.
Sure enough—
“Now that this vice-leader has identified himself, you should do the same.”
Seo Muk began pressing Bu Eunseol for details.
“You clearly seem to be a senior figure in the martial world—why wrap your face in such filthy bandages?”
‘There’s only one way.’
There was no choice.
Slither.
Bu Eunseol slowly unwound the bandages from his face.
At last, his incomparably refined features were revealed beneath the midday sun.
“You are…”
Seo Muk’s face stiffened.
He had already guessed the man was no ordinary person.
But never had he imagined that the figure hidden beneath those filthy wrappings was none other than the successor of Majeon, the new-generation grand master acknowledged even by his superior Baekri Mujo—the Martial Soul Command Lord.
“What brings you to this place?” Seo Muk raised an eyebrow. “In such ragged condition. Are you perhaps traveling incognito?”
Though his words were casual, tension was plain on Seo Muk’s face.
Bu Eunseol was a terrifying master who had once fought on equal footing with Baekri Mujo.
Moreover, this was territory under the Martial Alliance’s influence.
If someone of his caliber appeared here so openly, either he had a clear reason or he had secretly brought forces with him.
“Incognito? Hardly.”
Hands clasped behind his back, Bu Eunseol strolled forward leisurely.
“I simply found the scenery here pleasant and paused my steps for a moment.”
Seo Muk frowned.
A man like Bu Eunseol would never leisurely tour mountains and rivers alone.
Moreover, as head of a massive intelligence network, he could not possibly be unaware that the Star Guard Division was gathered here on Mount Dabi.
In the end, Seo Muk could only conclude that Bu Eunseol had deliberately come to pick a fight, knowing full well they were present.
“Wandering the martial world wrapped in filthy bandages?”
Convinced Bu Eunseol was mocking him, Seo Muk’s expression hardened.
“Are you picking a fight with this vice-leader right now?”
“A fight?”
“Traveling in such a state—who would believe that?”
Bu Eunseol gazed at Seo Muk with cold eyes.
“Are you seriously claiming the entire Mount Dabi belongs to the Martial Alliance?”
“Don’t twist things. Our Alliance arrived here first and is carrying out an official mission.” Seo Muk added, “If you truly want to sightsee, go somewhere else.”
Then he delivered one final line.
“And don’t forget—this is Martial Alliance territory.”
“Strange. Why would the Star Guard Division, protectors of the Martial Alliance’s key figures, be here?”
Bu Eunseol tilted his head.
“Since when did the Star Guard Division become an investigation unit for the Martial Alliance?”
In truth, Bu Eunseol already knew exactly why Seo Muk and the Star Guard Division were present.
Previously Baekri Mujo had found nothing here.
For a master of his level to sense something yet discover nothing… he would surely have ordered his subordinates to scour the area thoroughly.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Seo Muk feigned ignorance. “Our division investigates anything concerning the safety of Martial Alliance warriors. And—” A dangerous glint flashed in his eyes. “Let me say it again: you would do well to remember this is Martial Alliance territory.”
“Heh heh heh.”
Bu Eunseol gave a faint smile, hands still behind his back.
“I’ll think about it.”
Though not a shred of inner force remained in his body, Bu Eunseol spoke with perfect composure.
“If I get bored, I might come back. As long as you don’t insist the whole mountain belongs to the Martial Alliance.”
With a cold smile, he slowly turned away.
Seo Muk glared fiercely but did not stop him.
Without Baekri Mujo present, even mobilizing every man on Mount Dabi might not be enough to deal with him.
Step… step…
As Bu Eunseol walked slowly away, Seo Muk’s eyebrows shot up.
He assumed the man was deliberately refraining from using movement techniques just to irritate him.
‘Go ahead and act arrogant.’
Seo Muk ground his teeth.
‘Your head will roll soon enough.’
Whooosh.
At that moment a late-autumn chill swept through the forest.
Watching Bu Eunseol’s retreating figure as he left the woods, Seo Muk’s eyes suddenly widened.
High-level masters naturally emit internal energy even without conscious effort, leaving almost no footprints.
They also possess excellent balance.
Yet right now Bu Eunseol was walking unevenly—leaving clear footprints in the mud.
‘Moreover…’
Looking closely, a great deal of dirt clung to Bu Eunseol’s ankles.
That could only mean one thing: while climbing Mount Dabi, he had walked laboriously step by step like an ordinary person.
‘Unless he enjoys getting dirt on his clothes, that’s impossible.’
“Wait.”
Sensing something extremely wrong, Seo Muk called out to the departing Bu Eunseol.
“Are you really just going to leave like that?”
“What do you mean?”
When Bu Eunseol turned back, his reddened eyes fixed on him, Seo Muk felt a chill.
‘Am I picking an unnecessary fight?’
But he quickly shook off the doubt.
Having led the Star Guard Division for years, he too possessed sharp instincts.
‘Confirming won’t hurt.’
Straightening his chest, Seo Muk spoke boldly.
“If I let you walk away like this, the division leader will scold me. At the very least, show me a single move—then I’ll have something to report.”
“A move?”
Bu Eunseol glanced down at the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
“Are you asking me to cut off the heads of your hidden Star Guard subordinates?”
“No need to go that far.”
Seo Muk stepped forward.
“Just show me one technique. Then I’ll let you leave quietly.”
Immediately he unleashed a powerful wave of inner force.
Knowing Bu Eunseol was likely superior, he raised his energy to the maximum to counter whatever technique came.
Wobble.
But then something astonishing happened.
The moment Seo Muk’s inner-force wave brushed past, Bu Eunseol’s body swayed ever so slightly.
And that tiny movement was instantly caught by Seo Muk’s sharp eyes.
“Hahahaha!”
Unable to contain himself, Seo Muk threw his head back and laughed loudly at the sky.
“This is interesting.”
When the laughter stopped, a murderous smile spread across his lips.
At last he had confirmed it—Bu Eunseol’s body was far from normal.
Shing.
At Seo Muk’s raised hand, thirty swordsmen sprang from hiding and instantly surrounded Bu Eunseol.
“I thought something was strange the whole time.”
Seo Muk smiled, eyes raking over Bu Eunseol’s battered form.
“Why someone in such a pathetic condition come here.”
“…”
“And it turns out your body is completely wrecked.”
Even in this hair-trigger situation, Bu Eunseol’s expression remained utterly calm, lips firmly shut.
Seo Muk was now certain of his injuries and would never let this chance slip.
Further conversation was pointless.
‘Thirty men.’
These thirty swordsmen appeared to be elites personally trained by Baekri Mujo—each possessing skill surpassing first-grade captains of the Martial Alliance.
And with Vice-Leader Seo Muk joining them?
Even in perfect condition, this would not be an easy fight.
‘Can I defeat them bare-handed, with no inner force at all?’
Shing.
Swallowing the doubt rising in his mind, Bu Eunseol drew the Silent Tiger Soul Sword.
These enemies were on a completely different level from the assassins of the Blood Zhao Sect or Short-Life Gate.
And right now he had lost every trace of power—not even a shred of inner force remained.
Yet strangely his body felt light, and his mind was calm and clear, like standing on the surface of a tranquil lake.
Slash slash slash.
Bu Eunseol immediately unleashed swordplay.
With his inner force completely gone, he struck before Seo Muk and the swordsmen could properly form their battle array.
Slash slash!
The moment the Silent Tiger Soul Sword drew a half-circle toward Seo Muk’s throat,
Hummm!
Suddenly all thirty surrounding swordsmen poured out inner force at once.
True to his position as vice-leader, Seo Muk had instantly grasped Bu Eunseol’s weakness and transmitted orders for his men to concentrate their energy in a unified assault.
Hummm.
The combined inner force of thirty-one masters was like the power of nature itself.
An overwhelming pressure as though the entire world were collapsing bore down and Bu Eunseol felt as if his body had turned into a mass of ten thousand pounds of iron.
‘Strange.’
Even though the crushing pressure made breathing impossible, his mind strangely grew peaceful.
At the same time, his vision was swallowed by perfect black darkness.
It was as though Death itself had covered his eyes—only absolute blackness remained.
His consciousness faded endlessly and breathing became impossible.
—Disappointing.
Suddenly a small whisper echoed in the complete darkness.
—Why do you keep rejecting fate?
Bu Eunseol could not even answer.
It felt as though his iron-heavy body were plunging into a bottomless pit.
—Take my hand. Then everything can be resolved.
A black hand extended before Bu Eunseol’s eyes from within the darkness.
—Revenge. The truth. Everything you desire—I can grant it all in an instant.
Bu Eunseol hesitated.
The words from the darkness did not sound like lies.
If he took that hand, it felt as though he could gain power surpassing even death.
‘I’m tired now.’
Bu Eunseol clenched both fists tightly.
If he grasped that hand, he could accomplish every act of revenge. Perhaps even uncover the truth behind his parents’ deaths.
And in the afterlife, he could meet his grandfather with a smile.
Slowly.
Bu Eunseol raised his hand.
Without hesitation, he reached toward the black shadow.
Comments